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xxxxxThe lower level of the Helping Hands building is devoted to being a soup kitchen, with a large empty space, painted white and filled with cheap but sturdy tables and chairs that leads back to the counter tops that house small burners to keep food warm while serving. Behind the counter space, there are tables for additional food prep, with multiple openings and doors to the kitchen. The real heart of the shelter is the kitchen, where industrial sized stoves and ovens take up huge amounts of space and generate delicious aromas as they work most of the day preparing that night's meal.
xxxxxThe homeless shelter itself starts at a small desk in the front, complete with announcement boards, calendars posted, flyers that describe all the services provided at the Coalition, and most importantly, the rules that all must follow that wish to be there. There is a monitored door that requires the receptionist to press a button to open access upstairs. Up those stairs are equally large open rooms filled with single beds. There are a couple rooms for families that house bunk beds that require card keys to access - those keys always left with the receptionist when the occupants leave for the day or week.
xxxxxOn the third floor, there are youth hostel rooms for paying customers and those with long term needs and the inability to obtain a lease. On all floors, the bathrooms are shared, with certain perks available to homeless individuals who are willing to clean those out and help out in general around the shelter. The offices are on the top floor.
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